Chapter 4 #2
I was a pro at this shit and could literally do it without looking. My accuracy was always pretty much spot on. I waited until I heard the shift in the water spray, the change indicating Jax was rinsing.
Smirking, I extended once again and squeezed the life out of the bottle. Satisfied, I quickly rinsed off, wanting to be done before—
“You fucker.”
Laughter burst from me.
“Pearce, I swear to God…”
“What’s wrong, Jax?” I hollered. “You run out of shampoo? Need to borrow some?”
I heard extra chuckles around me.
“You’re an asshole, Pearce.”
“I like assholes, Jax. There’s a difference.”
He snorted loudly, and I figured it was enough to distract him so it was safe for me to make a run for it.
Clean, or as fresh as I could get in my haste to get away from Jax and as quickly as possible to Eddie, I dressed, receiving a few smirks from my teammates.
“You do know Jax is going to sulk the rest of the night, right?” Ollie shot me a smirk and a raised brow.
I grinned in response. “He’s lucky I went easy with low-key shampoo after what he did to me last week.
” The guy had filled my socks with glitter.
That shit went everywhere. Like everywhere!
It was a good job I hadn’t hooked up. Trying to explain why I had glitter in the crack of my ass would have been awkward.
Ollie chuckled. “Considering you cellophaned his car the week before, were you surprised?”
The memory, of doing just that and how much of the damn stuff it had taken to layer it on nice and thick, amused me to no end.
Pranks were fucking fun and hilarious. I lived for this shit.
Since Jayden had left the Eagles, it had taken a while for someone to bite and play pranks as hard as I did.
Jax was proving to be a fun competitor. Though Cassius was my usual go-to guy.
I had been taking it super easy on Jax, though. I hadn’t wanted to scare him off. But with today’s win and us having a place in the tournament, it was time to bring my A game.
“You heading out with Phelps and his kid?”
I nodded. “Yeah. They flew in for the game this afternoon and will head back tomorrow.”
“That girl of his still determined to rule the world?”
I chuckled. “Yup. Starting with ruling me, I think.” My teammates had thought my and Eddie’s friendship was a little out there a few years back. Not only were there more than ten years between us, but he was a single dad, an ex-professional basketball player, plus he lived in Chicago.
But we'd just clicked. He made me laugh and was easy to be around. And when I'd come out not long after meeting him, he was a sounding board I appreciated, since he'd come out as bi a year after his retirement, not long after splitting with his wife.
Sure, our lives seemed a world apart, and ignoring the fact he was hot as sin and I was straight-up in love with the man, I'd made my peace once he'd started dating Wankface Wayne.
Well, sort of, or as much as I could since the realtor wasn’t good enough for Eddie.
I had no regrets that I'd held on tightly to our friendship, though, despite how much my heart ached at times. I wanted the man in my life however I could get him.
After grabbing my gear, I stopped off for a quick word with Coach, then headed out to find my friend and his daughter. I found them outside the locker room.
Once again, Lottie raced toward me. This time I scooped her up, not giving a damn that she was ten and far too big to be carried.
“You guys ready to go?” I asked.
“I'm starving. Dad wouldn't let me have a hot dog during the game.” Lottie made a good attempt at pouting.
“Then you wouldn't be able to eat with Pearce. No dessert, no talking shop, remember. It means you need all the room for your plans for world domination.” Eddie quirked his brow at his daughter, sending me a follow-up wink. “Your car in the usual spot?” he asked.
I bobbed my head. Eddie, and sometimes Lottie when my games didn't clash with school, made regular trips to see me play. Every single time, I was overwhelmed he made the effort, all but pinching myself knowing he valued my friendship as much as I did his.
“I booked us in at the hotel restaurant. I hope that's okay.” His gaze flicked to his daughter, and I glanced at her still in my arms. Her head was against my shoulder. While her eyes were open, I figured she'd be exhausted. Not that she'd ever admit as much to either of us.
“Sounds good. The perfect place to spend time with this crazy kid.”
Eddie's smile was soft, and when my gaze traveled to his face, I realized it was directed at me rather than Lottie.
I held his stare for a beat before glancing away, too terrified he'd see longing in my eyes. The last thing I wanted was him to feel awkward. And the thought of not spending time with either of them wasn't worth the risk.
“You want me to drive?” Eddie asked as we stepped into the secure parking lot. My relieved smile was instant, as was the flutter in my stomach. He knew I always had a mini adrenaline crash post game, where I was overcome with tiredness until I got a decent meal.
“That'd be great, thanks.” I passed him the key to my SUV, which I may have upgraded to last year with Lottie in mind.
We got settled in the car, and Eddie started the engine. “With this traffic, it'll take us at least forty-five minutes. Why don't you rest? You know I've got you.”
Our gazes caught, a whisper of a smile tilting his lips. I closed my eyes, aware he spoke the truth. The only trouble was, I wish he had me in every way possible.